St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-05-13
A CLUB SCANDAL.
New York Capitalists Quarrel
Over a Game of Billiards.

Special to the Globe.
New YORK, May IA scandal in
which several prominent members are
unpleasantly involved has broken out
in the Manhattan club. The leading
figure is Ira Shafer, the well-known
criminal advocate, who has recently
been so prominently before the public in
connection with the aldermen'S trials.
Last night, it appears, a prominent dry
goods merchant was playing billiards
with a certain capitalist, in honor of
whom. the finest ferry boat plying be-
tween New York and Jersey City is
named. The dry goods man, probably
the finest amateur billiard player in the
state, was giving his opponent, himself
player of no mean order, discount OF
two to one. Among the spectators was
Ira Shafer. There was good deal of
betting going on, and the champagne
was passing around very freely.
Finally MI. Shafer, who, it is averred,
was somewhat under the influence of
LIQUOR, offered to make bet of S400 that
the capitalist would win the game. He
was promptly taken up. He lost the
wager, for the dry goods man, who at
the time the bet was made was good
deal behind, went out after making a
couple of brilliant runs. A new game
was entered upon, the capitalist relin-
gushing his cue to Lem Pomeroy, of
the firm of Pomeroy & Plummer. AS
the game neared its termination the
two players were very close to each
other. The dry goods merchant had only
one more point to score, but the shot
was apparently an exceedingly difficult
one. If he missed it there was every
probability that Mr.. PomerOy would
score out. Just as the dry goods mer-
.,,tn rn,, I,
stroke, MI Shafer sprang forward and
exclaimed:
'.Bet you $50 you lose this game"
s'No," quietly, answered the gentleman
addressed, 81 don't lose the game for
Eve only one point to go and l know
that can make this shot"
"Bet you you DON'T" reiterated Mr..
Shafer.
mo, wont bet" was the reply. cit
would only be taking your money on
dead certainty"
.Why don't you bet if you think so?"
reiterated Mr.. Shafer, rudely.
Il wont take your bet" answered the
merchant, somewhat nettled, land you
can't compel me to, either"
AS Mr.. Shafer persisted in putting
forward the bet gentleman among the
spectators took it up. The dry goods
merchant then went forward and in
stantly made the winning shot. Mr..
Shafer, with strange Inconsistency,
flew into violent rage with
the merchant for refusing to bet with
him. An angry rejoinder was made, and
then Mr.. Schafer lashed himself into
fury. He used a number of approbriuS
epithets, and finally made the startling
accusation that the players had acted
like sharpers and that an attempt had
been made to SWindle him. Blows were
on the point of being exchanged when
several members of the house committee
came hurrying into the apartment and
interfered. Next morning the story of
the scene in the Manhattan club billiard
parlorS was over town and the house
committee at once announced that
searching investigation would have to
be entered into and action will be taken
in the matter. The steps that are to be
taken are looked forward to with great
deal of interest.